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of photos that included but not limited to public locations, public buildings, parks, historic
structures, and Mian Street location s satisfying item #4; and
Whereas, one of those steps, item #3 requires the municipality to adopt an ordinance or
code of conduct setting forth regulations and standards for filming within the
municipality; and
Whereas, the Borough of Somerville has issued more than 20 filming permits over the
past five years for television shows, music videos, student films and educational videos;
and
Whereas, the Borough Council wishes to establish regulations and standards for filming
within the Borough consistent with the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television
Commission Film Ready requirements and to obtain Film Ready designation.
Now, Therefore, Be It Ordained by the Borough Council of the Borough of Somerville,
County of Somerset, State of New Jersey, as follows:
Section 1. A new Chapter 76 of the Code of the Borough of Somerville, entitled
“Filming,” is hereby adopted as follows:
Chapter 76
FILMING
§ 76-1 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Film Crew Members — Directors, producers, actors, set members, camera crew
members, security, contractors, interns, and agents.
Filming — The taking of still or motion pictures, either on film, videotape, digital or
similar recording medium, for commercial or educational purposes intended for viewing
on television, in theaters, the internet or for institutional use.
Major Motion Pictures — Any film which is financed and/or distributed by a major
motion picture studio, including but not limited to the following: NBCUniversal, including
Peacock; Warner Bros. Discovery, including New Line Cinema, HBO, DC Studios and
Castle Rock Entertainment; Paramount Pictures, including Miramax, MTV Films,
Showtime, Skydance, Dreamworks and Nickelodeon Movies; Walt Disney Studios,
including 20th Century Studios, Searchlight Pictures, Hulu and Marvel Studios; Sony
Pictures, including Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems and Tristar Pictures; Amazon
MGM Studios; Netflix Studios; A24; any film for which the budget is at least
$20,000,000; or any recurrent weekly television series programming.
Public Lands — Any and every public street, highway, sidewalk, square, public right-of-
way, public park or playground, public building and property or other public place within
the Borough which is within the jurisdiction and control of the Borough.